Executive Director

Company Overview

Early Learning Essentials is a nonprofit organization that supports preschool education for children and families facing difficult circumstances. The role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community.

Role Summary

The Executive Director is the top executive for the agency and is accountable for overall leadership, strategic planning, financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and day-to-day oversight of Head Start and Early Head Start programs. This position ensures the organization follows the Head Start Act of 2007, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and all relevant federal, state, and local rules while advancing school readiness and comprehensive services for children and families.

The role works closely with the Board of Directors, Parent Policy Council, and staff to set goals, allocate resources, create policies, safeguard public funds, and keep the agency financially stable. It also includes functional oversight of the Comprehensive Services Deputy Director, Finance Director, Administration and HR Director, and the Facilities and Transportation Manager.

Key Responsibilities

The Executive Director provides strategic and operational leadership across all program areas, maintains a strong culture of safety and continuous improvement, and ensures that agency systems and infrastructure support both service quality and compliance.

This role also leads shared governance efforts with the Board and Policy Council, supports board member recruitment and training, and helps ensure timely, accurate information is available for informed decision-making.

In compliance and quality assurance, the Executive Director oversees monitoring systems, ongoing improvement efforts, program evaluations, corrective actions, community assessments, self-assessments, PIR submissions, and federal monitoring reviews, audits, and investigations. The position also ensures that operating manuals, policies, procedures, and public-facing information remain current and accurate.

On the safety and risk side, the role establishes systems for child health and safety, emergency preparedness, incident reporting, mandated reporting, risk management, and complaint resolution, while escalating unresolved concerns to the appropriate leadership bodies when needed.

Financially, the Executive Director leads the annual budget process, monitors financial performance, ensures proper use of federal, state, local, and private funds, supports audits and required filings, and helps manage non-federal share and in-kind contributions.

In human resources and workforce development, this position oversees HR systems, employee relations, compensation, benefits administration, recruitment, retention, training, succession planning, and staff development. It also helps manage retirement plan matters and related audit requirements.

The role further supports strategic planning, develops community partnerships, pursues grants and other funding opportunities, and guides grant narrative and budget contributions from the leadership team. As the agency spokesperson and key external liaison, the Executive Director communicates with the Office of Head Start, partners, families, staff, the Board, and community stakeholders, and represents the organization in public and professional settings.

Required Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Human Services, or a related discipline is required. A master’s degree in one of these fields is preferred.

Candidates should bring at least 5 to 7 years of progressively responsible executive or senior leadership experience. Strong preference is given to experience in Head Start, Early Head Start, early childhood education, nonprofit administration, or other federally funded programs.

Experience with federal grant management, organizational budgeting, compliance systems, and multidisciplinary teams is required.

Skills and Abilities

The ideal candidate will demonstrate visionary and systems-oriented leadership, strong knowledge of Head Start performance standards, and an understanding of the social and developmental needs of children and families.

Excellent written and verbal communication, the ability to influence others effectively, and strong collaboration skills are essential. The role also calls for sound judgment, accountability, adaptability, and the ability to work across governance, finance, operations, and community partnership functions.

Benefits

Full-time employees receive a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, life insurance, and a 401(k). The organization also offers gym benefits, weekends off, and twice the usual number of holidays, making it a family-friendly workplace.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, onsite position based in Springville, Utah.

The position is within a nonprofit setting serving Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

Other duties may be assigned by the Board of Directors as needed, provided they remain aligned with the responsibilities of the role.

Terms and Conditions

The selected candidate must be able to ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and program-specific rules, maintain organizational accountability, and support the agency’s financial and operational integrity on an ongoing basis.